Getting press coverage for your business has become increasingly difficult, as thousands of press releases are sent out every day and journalists are being inundated with pitches for new products and events.

Whether you’re a startup or an established business, good PR will not only get your name out there, but will also help you build your reputation and ultimately increase your customer base. But standing out from the crowd, even if you have a killer product or idea, is not as easy as it sounds without the right strategy.

Below, eleven communications executives from ForbesCommunicationsCouncil share some of their favorite tips and strategies to help your brand stand out -- for free.

Think like the reader when pitching to publications. What would you want to read about or see on the news? Is it newsworthy? The best question to answer before pitching to an editor is "So what?" Give them a reason why their readers should care about your brand or product. If you have a good relationship with the journalist, you will know the answer before you even reach out to them. - Heather Dueitt, NoteVault

2. Build deep relationships.

People want to promote others they know, trust and like. The deeper your relationships with specific media folks, the more likely they will be to look to you as an expert. Moreover, provide them with valuable information, such as other expert or source recommendations, even when it doesn't profit you. Make yourself likable and useful and you will go far. - Holly Chessman, Glance Networks Inc.

3. Do good and share your social mission.

Printed publications, on-air news and radio stations are often leery of self-promoting pitches. Share your social mission and some of the pro-bono partnerships you have formed in the local community. Doing good is the best PR you can get as a business. It helps your brand and gets you to the front of mentions and news features. - Jennifer Mellon, Trustify

4. Take a creative job-search style approach.

In the same way that creative engagements with a hiring manager can help you stand out in a pool of resumes and job applicants, the same strategies can be used to interact with reporters who have the power to feature your company/product. Reporters receive loads of email pitches, but how often do they receive a package with a sample of your new product and a handwritten note? - Jake Rheude, Red Stag Fulfillment

5. Provide meaningful data.

To be clear, PR is never free. There's always some "cost" associated with it, but one method is to provide meaningful data that supports the narratives journalists and writers are trying to tell. Positioning your brand as a source of compelling data that can be used to spur storytelling is a nearly guaranteed way to make the media love you. Bonus points for data visuals that can be featured in content! - Leta Soza, AirPR

If you want to get PR for your brand, start by looking at what news your target press is already covering and has covered in the past. Figure out where your brand's story can fit within that coverage and engineer your pitches around it. This strategy works especially well with consumer press. - Kristen Fletcher, Fletch PR, Inc.